The Inside Track by Tim Keithley: Trainer Talk on Ruidoso Derby Qualifiers
Kylee Joy, narrowly finishing second in her trial heat, is one to watch in Saturday's Derby.
Trainer Comments on Derby Qualifiers:
1. Apollitical Papa 9/2
*Ran in Futurity trials last season with two seconds and one third.
*Finished fourth in the Zia Futurity last October.
*Jose Alvarez is the regular rider and has been on Apollitical Papa for all three career wins.
Trainer Fred Danley: “This horse was a little immature as a two-year-old and has been sort of a late-bloomer. He’s changed a lot since then. There were no serious issues over the winter—he just needed time to grow up. I’m not too high on the one-hole that we drew, but if he gets away he’ll run good.”
2. Oatman Creek Senator 10-1
*Finished third in last year’s Ruidoso Futurity to Fernweh.
*In the money five times in five-lifetime starts.
*Jockey Raul Ramirez Jr. rides—has been on the gelding his entire racing career.
Trainer Mike Joiner: “The horse really started off well as a two-year-old making the Ruidoso Futurity, then we struggled with some shin issues the rest of the year. He seems to be different now that he’s three—just very healthy and wanting to do everything right. This is probably not his best distance. Wait till we get to 440-yards and I’ll think he’ll be even better, but I like that we’re next to Hotsempting in the final. If she breaks in front he’ll have something in his sites to run after.”
3. Hotsempting 5/2
*Top Qualifier in a time of 19.945 seconds for 350-yards.
*Seventh in last season’s Ruidoso Futurity to Fernweh.
*Second in last season’s Rainbow Futurity to Uncle D.
*Four wins in seven-lifetime starts.
*Jockey Esgar Ramirez will ride—has been a regular rider in all career races.
Trainer Sergio Ibarra: “Racing here you are always dealing with other horses, the clock and the elements. She seemed to handle all three in the trials—just took off like she was on fire. The filly relishes racing here and you can tell. She made two triple crown finals as a two-year-old then comes right back and makes the final of her first Derby. We’re expecting some big things out of her all season.”
4. Tres of Hero 15-1
* Eleven-lifetime starts and two wins—both came in last two starts.
*Races for Trainer Wes Giles—top quarter horse trainer this season at Ruidoso Downs with 11 wins.
*Jockey Alan Hernandez tied for the lead with eight wins this season at Ruidoso Downs.
*Defeated Cartel Charly in the trial race.
Trainer Wes Giles: “She hasn’t been in the barn very long—we picked her up after Sunland Park closed so we’re just getting used to her. She seems like she’s a happier filly in her stall—a little more calm and settled. The filly all of a sudden has two in a row and seems to be much improved but she’ll need a strong break to compete versus these runners.”
5. Katch This Bird 20-1
*One of three starters for trainer John Stinebaugh
*Finished ninth in All American Juvenile (consolation) last Labor Day weekend
*Five starts at Ruidoso Downs with two wins and one second
*Defeated Running Buddy and Kleptomaniac in the trial race
Trainer John Stinebaugh: “You’ll notice that this horse sometimes has troubled trips like gets bumped and bobbles out of the starting gate. It happened again in the trial race—you’ll notice he had a little trouble early then came running. I like that the ‘Bird’ drew right back in the five-hole for the final—that’s where he qualified.
6. Cartel Charly 5-1
*Finished fifth in last season’s Ruidoso Futurity to Fernweh
*Five starts at Ruidoso Downs with two wins and two seconds
*Trainer John Stinebaugh runners are nearly 50% in the money this season
Trainer John Stinebaugh: “This horse has the biggest chance to make a major improvement in the final. When Charly was in the gate he ‘sprung a shoe’ and basically his left front shoe should have come off but never did. It’s sort of like running down the track with a rock in your shoe, but the horse still qualified for the final. I’m expecting this horse to run well without the shoe problem in the final.”
7. Cers Final Try 8-1
*Has more starts (twelve) than any other finalist and is 9-for-12 in the money lifetime.
*Finished second behind Uncle D in the All American Juvenile (consolation) last season.
*Defeated even-money favorite Uncle D in the trial race (time 20.051 seconds)
*Trainer Tony Sedillo won 2016 All American Futurity with Imperial Eagle
Trainer Tony Sedillo: “My horse just missed the All American last fall and ran second to Uncle D in the consolation. Then we got up to beat Uncle D in the trials the other day so it makes sense that the two horses are very similar in talent. This race will probably be won at the break. If we can just stay close early I think we’ll be able to run them all down.
8. Kylee Joy 8-1
*Has five lifetime starts with two money finishes (still a maiden)
*Rider Francisco Calderon takes the mount; tied for the lead in jockey standings with eight wins
Trainer John Stinebaugh: “She came to us from Utah last season and didn’t show us much but everything she raced the filly seemed to perform just a little better. That’s been her game to show just a little improvement each time—6th, then 5th, then 3rd. The other day in the trials she stumbled coming out and collected herself and really started to run down the racetrack. We think she has tremendous potential to break her maiden in the final.
9. Kleptomaniac 30-1
*Finished third to Katch This Bird and Running Buddy in trial race in a three-way photo
*Won Rainbow and All American Futurity trial races last season
*Five career starts with two wins and three thirds.
*Fan-favorite Ricky Ramirez gets the ride—has ridden the gelding in all five career starts.
Trainer Charles “Duke” Shults: “He’s a lot smarter as a three-year-old compared to last year. He broke good in his trial race and was right there with the other two horses. Not to make an excuse-- but he really needed the out—since he hadn’t started in a race since the Texas Classic trials. He’s a true 440 runner but will come running. He came back great and he’s ready to go.”
10. Running Buddy 15-1
*Only three lifetime starts—all at Ruidoso Downs—finished second in trial race
*Jockey Sergio Becerra Jr., won $25k Dash for Speed stakes race last weekend
Trainer Manuel Rodriguez: “We knew the colt could run when he was a two-year-old but we were fighting some shin issues with him so we decided to stop his training after Ruidoso Downs last summer. He was off for so long that we really didn’t have that high expectations for him until he showed his talent in the trial race—just missed by a neck. I think the post position will benefit him because he’ll be able to avoid any trouble. If they give him time to settle when they put him in the gate, we believe he has an excellent chance to break and win the Derby.”